Compute Freely

Free your computer. Use Linux.

Why use a free & open source operating system?

(like Linux)

Completely Free

Most open source operating systems are completely free both in price & in licensing. There are typically no fees, lengthy legal agreements, or restrictive copyright protections. You are even free to modify them and make copies to distribute to your friends.

Safe & Secure

The robust GNU/Linux system is at the heart of most free & open source platforms, running everything from world governments to the International Space Station. It powers much of the World Wide Web and billions of smart devices worldwide.

Accessibility

Free and open source operating systems are as diverse as the people who use and build them. Which means they come loaded with software meant to aid those with hearing, sight or motor impairment.

Community & Support

The Linux & open source ecosystem has a vibrant community surrounding it, and with that you get a world of support – from written documentation and forums, to mailing lists and live chat, to name just a few.

Versatility

Thanks to the Linux kernel most open source operating systems have unparalleled hardware support. You can install them on virtually any number of computers or other devices that you want.

Applications

There are thousands of free & open source applications available to freely download and install without the need to browse the web. All this software undergoes scrutinous review before it reaches you, so you can find and use what you like with confidence.

Making The Switch

If you work with Microsoft Office

Many free and open source operating systems have the LibreOffice suite available which lets you create documents, spreadsheets, and presentations as you would with Microsoft Office. With LibreOffice, you can also open and edit any Word, Powerpoint, or Excel files you may already have.

Browsing the Web

You still have the best of the web available to you on Linux; popular browsers like Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox and Opera support Linux. Plus the many other Linux-only browsers.

Open your Creativity

On other platforms, the creative field is dominated by proprietary programs, but there are several capable open source alternatives. Together the GIMP, Inkscape & Krita make a great set of graphics editing tools. Blender is available for 3D animation and rendering. For digital audio, there's Ardour.

Keep on Listening

Out of the box, many free and open source operating systems can manage your existing music library and keep you listening.

Game On

Gaming on Linux has never been more possible. The number of Linux games available are rapidly growing on platforms like Steam and GOG. Plus many indie games support Linux through Ubuntu's Software Center.

What's Available?

There are thousands of free and open source Linux operating systems to try. Here are some of the most popular.